Japan, Kyoto, 19th century, Edo period (1615-1968)

A classic model after Okatomo, depicting a quail with three young perched on two large heads of leafy millet, one of the leaves forming the himotoshi. All birds with minutely inlaid eyes of dark horn.

HEIGHT 3.5 cm

Condition: Very good condition with expected wear, one inlaid eye missing.
Provenance: French private collection.

Auction comparison: Compare to a closely related Netsuke of Quail on millet by Okatomo in Bonhams London, Fine Netsuke from the Adrienne Barbanson collection, 13 May 2013, lot 30 (sold for 7,250 GBP).

This item contains or is made from elephant ivory and is subject to CITES when exporting outside the EU. It is typically not possible to export such items outside of the EU, including to the UK. Please note that in compliance with EU regulation effective January 19th, 2022, all items carved from elephant ivory before 1947 must carry a legal trade permit issued by the Austrian ministry of trade, or any other appropriate authority within the European Union. For this reason, any sale of such item can only be concluded after such permit has been granted. All payments made prior to the issuance of the respective permit will be held in escrow until the application for the permit has been approved. Please note that according to EU regulation it may take up to 3 months until the permit has been granted. In case the permit is declined, or not granted after 3 months, the payment will be returned to the client immediately.